Fiber optic cable closure and assembly

ABSTRACT

A cable closure assembly includes a rotatable collar secured to an end plate for rotating the end plate with respect to the closure. Drop ports and express ports are provided within the end plate to accommodate either cut or uncut cables within the closure. Grommet and cap tools are provided which consist of two pieces to be installed over cables after the cables are inserted into the closure. A modular closure system is provided including a dome closure and extender or expander closures to increase storage and splicing area within the dome closure. A sliding and locking bracket allows for movement and pivoting of splice trays to access splice trays below other stacked trays. An extender for a strength member bracket accommodates various lengths of strength members on the cable fiber cable. A bracket on an end of a rigid bar member permits wrapping of the cable within the closure and positions the cable within the closure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Provisional Application No.60/293,609, filed May 25, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a cable splice enclosure assembly.Assemblies of the type under consideration are particularly suited forenclosing and housing fiber optic splice cables, and the invention willbe described with particular reference thereto; however, the apparatuscould equally well be used with other types of cables.

Many different types of cable enclosures are known in the prior art.These prior enclosures are satisfactory to a greater or lesser degreebut often have certain limitations which make them inconvenient to useor prevent them from being readily adaptable to changing environmentsand conditions. It is, accordingly, a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a cable enclosure assembly that is easy to assembleand use and which can be modified or adapted for different size cablesand can be formed in a variety of different sizes that allow the sizeand number of splices to vary. In addition, the present inventionprovides an enclosure that allows ready access for changing or adding tothe number of splices in the enclosure. It is also an object of thepresent invention to provide an end plate which is designed to receivevarious size cables without requiring drilling or modification duringfield use.

Access to ports within an end plate of existing cable closures requiresthe entire closure to be moved or rotated. This proves to be a timeconsuming and cumbersome process. Accordingly, it is desirable toprovide a cable enclosure which has a rotatable end member which allowsrotation of an end plate to access various ports and cables prior tolocking the end plate to a cable closure and provide for easyassembly/disassembly.

It is desirable to provide an end plate system having ports which areseparated by a slot to allow installation of uncut fiber cables withinthe closure.

Existing grommets and caps require that the cable be inserted throughthe grommet and cap and into the closure port. It is a further object ofthe invention to provide grommets, caps and grommet tools and cap toolswhich are split or have first and second halves which allow thegrommets, caps and tools to be installed over a cable after a cable isinstalled within the closure.

It is also desirable to provide an extender which is installed onto aclosure to form a modular system which allows an existing closure tohave additional area along a longitudinal axis for storing and/orsplicing cables. It is further desirable to provide an expander whichallows a cable closure of a greater diameter than an end plate tointerface with the end plate.

It is also desirable to provide a bracket on an end of a management barwhich allows for wrapping the cable within the management system andcontrolling the position of the cable.

It is also desirable to provide a splice tray support system whichallows the splice trays to be stacked on top of each other and slid andlocked into a pivoted position to allow access to lower splice trays.

Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new andimproved cable closure assembly which overcomes the foregoingdifficulties and others while providing better and more advantageousoverall results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cable closure and assembly. Moreparticularly, it relates to a cable closure system of the type used withfiber optic cables. The cable closure system is not limited to use withoptical fibers and can also be used with other cables and cable types,such as copper cables, or the like. Although the expression optical willbe used herein to describe the preferred embodiment, it is intended toinclude all stranded items and all cable types.

The optic fiber splice closure has an elongated generally cylindricalhousing with an open first end having a flange and a closed second end.The housing forms a dome having a plurality of radially extending ribsformed on an outer surface thereof. An end plate is releasably securedto an open end of the housing. A rigid bar member has opposite terminalends where one of the ends is joined with the end plate. An opticalcable splice tray is mounted on the rigid bar member. A rotatable collarmatingly engages the flange and secures the end plate to the housingfirst end. A seal member is positioned between the flange and the endplate to seal the end of the housing.

The collar has a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs and theflange has a plurality of spaced apart notches where the tabs align withand engage the notches. The tabs and notches are preferably equallyspaced apart. The tabs of the collar each have a body and a legextending from the body, where the collar is rotated until the notchesare positioned between the body and the legs of the tab thereby lockingthe collar with the flange.

The collar further has a plurality of ridges that engage acircumferential edge of an end plate to retain the end plate to thecollar. The collar is also provided with a second leg where the secondleg and the ridge form a channel for receiving the edge of the endplate. The end plate is rotatable with respect to the collar.

The closure system further includes a first housing member and a secondcylindrical housing member having a first open end, a second open end,and a cavity extending therebetween. The second housing member isselectively sealingly locked to the first housing member. A collarengages and secures the second housing member with first housing member.The second housing member extends generally along a longitudinal axis ofthe first housing member. The first housing member and second housingmember can have substantially the same diameter. Each of the housingmembers has a first flange which are matingly interconnected to eachother. The second housing member further has a second flange on an endopposite to the first flange. A second collar is rotatably secured tothe second end of the second housing along with an end plate.

Alternatively, the second housing has a body which configures to asubstantially L-shaped configuration. The first and second ends areapproximately normal to each other. Alternately, the second housingmember has a body which is substantially U-shaped and the first andsecond ends are substantially parallel to each other.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first and secondhousings each have a first diameter portion which is substantially thesame and the second housing further has a second diameter portion. Thesecond housing has a step configuration formed between the first andsecond diameter portions wherein the first diameter portion is largerthan the second diameter portion. The end plate is secured to an end ofthe second housing adjacent the second diameter portion.

The end plate assembly has a plurality of drop ports for use with cutfiber cable and a plurality of express ports for use with uncut fibercable. The drop ports each have webbed material which covers an openingof each of the ports. At least one ground wire port is provided forreceiving grounding wire. The ground wire part can have webbed materialwithin an opening of the port.

Grommets are inserted into the drop and express ports to provide a sealbetween a cable and the ports. Caps are installed into the ports tosecure the grommets into place.

A slot can be formed between and connect two adjacent express ports toaccommodate a looped uncut fiber cable portion. A wedge-shaped insert isinserted into the slot to seal and retain the cable portion within theclosure.

The grommets can be split and installed over the cable which is alreadywithin the port.

The grommet driver can have a first half and a second half with groovesand ribs which matingly engage each other to allow the grommet driver tobe installed over a cable.

The caps can have a first semi-circular section and a secondsemi-circular section where the first section has a pair of groovesextending along a longitudinal axis of the first section. The secondsection has a pair of ribs extending along a longitudinal axis of thesecond section. The grooves and ribs slidingly engage each other toallow the cap to be installed over a cable.

The cap tool can have a first body member and a second body member whereeach body member has a first end with teeth and a second end forming ahandle. The first body member has at least one groove and the secondbody member has at least one rib which matingly engages the groove. Thefirst and second body member are installed over a cable.

The cap further has a plurality of ribs formed on an outer surface ofthe first and second cap halves. The cap tool teeth engage the ribs andallow rotation of the cap within the port.

A splice tray and splice tray support system are provided which includean elongate rigid bar member, a post extending substantiallyperpendicularly from the bar member, a pair of support brackets uponwhich the rigid bar member is mounted, and one or more splice trayssupported on the bar member which have a slotted end for selectivelyreceiving the rod. A first support member is adapted to receive a secondend of the splice tray. A second support member is mounted to the rigidbar member and is pivotally connected to the first support member. Firstsupport member has a body with a pair of arms extending therefrom whichare parallel to each other. Each of the arms have a first and secondgroove. The first groove extends along the longitudinal axis of thearms. The second groove extends from the first groove at an acute anglewith respect to the longitudinal axis. A circular cutout or groove isformed at the intersection of the first and second grooves.

The second support member also has a body with first and second armsextending from the body which are generally parallel to each other. Eachof the second support member arms has a tab extending from a sidewall inthe arm. The tabs are received by one of the first and second grooves ina corresponding first support member. The second support member ispivoted from a first, horizontal position to a second, angled positionand is locked into the second position. A tab of the second supportmember engages the circular cutout in the first support member and locksthe second support member in one of the first and second positions.

The second support members can each further have an alignment pin on afirst surface and a hole on a second surface which receives the pin ofan adjacent second support member. Each of the first support members canhave a tab which extends from the body for providing manual gripping ofthe support member.

Each of the first support members has a first locking tab on a firstsurface and a second locking tab on a second surface. The first lockingtab engages a second locking tab of an adjacent first support memberwhen the first support members are in a stacked relationship to eachother. One of the first support members is slid with respect to anadjacent first support member to disengage the locking tabs. The firstlocking tabs each have a ramped surface and a straight, vertical surfacewhich extends from the ramped surface. The second locking tab has aramped surface, a landing and a straight, vertical surface which extendsfrom and is approximately normal to the landing.

Alternately, the first support members can have slots extending alongthe longitudinal axis of the arms and ribs extending along thelongitudinal axis of the arms where the ribs are spaced apart from theslots. A rib on one of the first support members slidingly engages aslot of an adjacent first support member when the first support membersare in a stacked relationship. The slots of the first support membereach have an end wall where the rib contacts the end walls to preventfurther movement of the rib within the slots.

The first support member arm has first and second walls parallel to eachother and third and fourth walls parallel to each other where the thirdand fourth walls are approximately normal to the first and second walls.The first wall of one of the first support members engages a second wallof an adjacent first support member and the third wall of a firstsupport members engages the fourth wall of an adjacent first supportmember when the support members are in a stacked relationship.

The splice tray and splice tray support system can further have a“fanged” shape bracket positioned at an end of the rigid bar member andhaving an opening for receiving the end of the rigid bar member. Thebracket has first and second horizontal walls which are generallyparallel to each other where the second wall forms a base for thebracket. A third, vertical, curved wall connects the first and secondwalls to each other. Prongs extend downwardly from the first wall and aprong extends upwardly from the second wall. The prongs capture thewound cable.

One advantage of the closure system lies in the flexibility of cost andperformance it provides. The closure can be configured in a multitude ofways to address a specific customer's needs.

Another advantage of the fiber optic closure is the provision of arotatable collar which allows the end plate to be rotated so thatvarious ports and cables may be accessed prior to locking the end plateonto the dome closure.

Yet another advantage lies in the provision of express ports with a slottherebetween which provides an opening for uncut fiber cable.

Yet another advantage lies in the provision of a dome closure systemwhich is easily assembled and disassembled.

Still another advantage is the provision of a dome closure system whichis modular and can include extenders and expanders to increase theamount of storage space within the closure.

Still yet another advantage is the provision of grommets, caps and toolswhich are split apart or are formed of two halves and are able to fit ona cable after the cable is already inserted and installed within theclosure.

Yet still another advantage is the provision of a tool-less system forassembly of the closure system.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a splicetray which has members which are slidable and lock into place in apivoted position to allow access to lower splice trays in a stackedrelationship.

Still yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision ofa fang-shaped bracket which has flexible prongs which allow wrapping ofthe cable within the closure and maintains the cable within the closure.

Still other advantages and benefits of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding ofthe following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take form in certain parts and arrangements of parts,the preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in thisspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form apart hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fiber optic cable dome closure inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an end plate and collar, afiber optic splice tray system and the dome closure in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the fiber opticcable closure system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of an end plate of the closure systemof the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view illustrating a gel-wrap materialinstalled on a cable;

FIG. 6 illustrates a two-piece grommet driver being installed on acable;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view illustrating a two-piece cap beinginstalled on a cable;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view illustrating installation of atwo-piece cap tool onto a cable;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a cap tool being used toinstall a cap onto the closure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a rotatable collar used with the endplate of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side elevational view showing engagement ofthe end plate with the rotatable collar;

FIG. 12 a is a perspective view of a strength member bracket mounted tothe end plate;

FIG. 12 b is a perspective view of a strength member bracket extenderand strength member bracket;

FIG. 12 c is a perspective view of a strength member extender andbracket of FIG. 12 b with the strength member bracket extender rotated180°;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an extender and a dome closure;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view illustrating an L-shaped extenderused with a cable closure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a stepped configurationexpander and a dome closure;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the end plate of FIG. 4 showing abracket extending from a side of the end plate in accordance with thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a stack of fiber optic splice traysupport brackets;

FIG. 18 a is a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of asupport bracket and a fiber optic splice tray (shown in phantom);

FIG. 18 b is a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of asupport bracket and a second support bracket in a pivoted position witha fiber optic splice tray (shown in phantom);

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a support bracket and a pivoted supportbracket and fiber optic splice tray (shown in phantom);

FIG. 20 a is a side elevational view in cross-section of stacked supportbrackets with locking tabs in engagement;

FIG. 20 b is a side elevational view in cross-section of two supportbrackets in a closed orientation;

FIG. 20 c is a side elevational view in cross-section of two supportbrackets in an open orientation;

FIG. 20 d is a perspective view in partial cross-section of two supportbrackets with locking pins in engagement;

FIG. 20 e is a perspective view of two support brackets in a closedorientation;

FIG. 21 a is a side elevational view in cross-section of two supportbrackets in a closed orientation according to an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 21 b is a side elevational view in cross-section of the supportbrackets of FIG. 21 a in an open orientation;

FIG. 21 c is a side elevational view in partial cross-section of twosupport brackets of FIG. 21 a illustrating engagement of a rib and aslot;

FIG. 21 d is a side elevational view of two support brackets of FIG. 21a in an open orientation;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a fang bracket of the preferredembodiment; and, FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a web removal toolof the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only, and notfor purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a fiber optic cable closuresystem A in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, cable closure 10 includes amain body preferably in the form of a dome member 12, an end plateassembly 14 removably securable to the dome 12, and a splice traymanagement assembly 16 removably securable to the end plate assembly 14.The dome 12 forms an elongated, generally cylindrical housing which hasa plurality of radially extending ribs 13 formed on an outer surface 15thereof. In the embodiment being described, the dome is a unitary,one-piece structure with an open, first end 17, a closed, second end 18,and an internal cavity 19. The internal cavity can be sealed,pressurized, and/or potted as desired to protect the splice traymanagement assembly 16.

Although the dome closure body and components and the end plate assemblycould be formed from a variety of different materials using differentmanufacturing techniques, in the subject embodiment, they are preferablyinjection molded from a suitable plastic containing fibers forreinforcement. For example, fiber glass filled and reinforcedpolypropylene is preferred.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the end plate assembly 14 includes anend plate 20, a sealing O-ring or gasket 22 which surrounds a perimeterof the end plate to seal the end plate with the closure, a rotatablecollar 24, a plurality of caps 26, a plurality of ribbed grommets 28, aplurality of grommet drivers 30, a wedged insert 32, and one or moreground wire hardware ports 33. The end plate 20 includes a plurality ofcable ports including drop ports 34 for use with cut fiber cable, andexpress ports 36 for use with un-cut looped fiber cable. An innerdiameter of each port 34, 36 tapers radially inward in a directiontoward the dome 12. The tapered inner wall, in cooperation with thegrommets 28, facilitates sealing the cables as they pass though therespective cable ports 34, 36. That is, as a cap 26 is threaded onto acable port 34, the corresponding grommet driver 30 urges a grommet 28axially into the port 34 between the cable and the port inner side wall.The point at which the grommet 28 sealingly engages the port inner sidewall varies depending upon the diameter of the cable, the size of thegrommet, and the taper of the inner side wall. As the caps aretightened, the grommets compress between the port walls and the cable,thereby providing a fluid tight seal therebetween.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the grommets 28 can be replaced witha gel wrap 38 wrapped around cable B to seal the drop ports 34, expressports 36, and/or grounding cable ports 33.

Further, a removable web of material is formed across the inner diameterof each cable drop port 34 during manufacture of the end plate 20. Thelower ports 34 are thus usable as regular cable ports until such time asa craftsperson punches-out or otherwise removes the web of material.Accordingly, the dome inner cavity can be pressurized when less than themaximum capacity of cable spices are enclosed within the dome 12. And ascapacity is increased, an unused port 34 can then be selected toaccommodate an additional cable by simply knocking out the web ofmaterial. The webbed material can be removed or unlocked out of the portopenings by a web removal tool 39, shown in FIG. 23, which has achamfered or “bullet-tip” end 43 to further enhance knocking out the webmaterial by concentrating the force required to dislodge the webbing.

The express ports 36 are primarily used for splicing to un-cut fiberoptic cable. More particularly, a looped portion of the un-cut cable isfed into an open slot 35 (FIGS. 4 and 7) defined between two expressports 36. With such a looped cable portion fed through the slot 35 andadjoining express ports 36, the wedged insert 32 is then driven into theslot 35 to retain, in conjunction with grommets 28, drivers 30, and caps26 that are secured to the express ports 36 as described above, thelooped cable portion within the dome internal cavity. It should beappreciated that the slot and the wedged insert 32 can be keyed and/orribbed to facilitate locking the wedged insert within the slot 35, thuspreventing the wedged insert from shifting into one of the ports 36 andpreventing a seal from being established.

It should be appreciated that the express ports 36 of the presentinvention can also be used to individually route additional cut cablesto the dome inner cavity. Thus, when additional cut cable capacity isdesired and there are no additional drop ports 34 available, the expresscable ports 36 can be used as needed to route the additional cut cablesinto the dome.

The ground wire hardware port 33 is adapted to accommodate ground wirehardware such as the ground wire hardware 40, 41, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 49shown in FIG. 3. More particularly, the grounding stud 48 projectsthrough the hardware port 33 and electrically connects an externalground wire to, for example, the splice tray management assembly 16within the dome internal cavity. Alternatively, as best shown in, forexample, FIG. 4, a ground wire hardware port 33 can be individuallyassociated with some or all of the cable ports 34, 36. As with the cableports 34, 36, the ground wire hardware port(s) 33 include a web ofmaterial that preserves the ability to pressurize the dome internalcavity when a ground wire is not used. Otherwise, a craftsperson simplyknocks-out the web in order to feed the grounding stud 48 through therespective ground wire hardware port 33.

Alternatively, it is contemplated that a ground wire may be fed throughthe ground wire hardware port 33 without the use of the identifiedhardware. In such a case, a grommet, such as grommet 28, can be used toseal a grounding cable that extends through a grounding cable port 33.

With a grommet 28 in place around a respective cable, the grommet driver30, in conjunction with the threaded cap 26, urges the grommet 28axially into sealing engagement between the cable and a tapered innerwall of a respective port 34, 36. The cap 26 is driven into the grommetand port by a cap tool or driver 50.

The grommets 28 can be of a solid one-piece construction or a splitone-piece configuration. Referring to FIG. 6, the grommet driver 30includes a first half 29 and a second half 31. Each half has a tab 35and a slot 37. The tab 35 engages the slot 37 to install the first andsecond halves over a cable within one of the ports.

It should be recognized that a cable end must be fed through a prior artone-piece grommet, whereas a split grommet 28 can be placed over anyportion of a cable and then slid along the cable into threadedengagement with a port. Likewise, the cap drivers 50 and caps 26 can beone-piece solid or split, or, preferably, two-piece (as shown in FIGS. 7and 8). Again, it should be recognized that a cable end must be fedthrough a solid one-piece cap driver 50 and a solid one-piece cap 26,whereas a split one-piece driver and cap, or a two-piece driver 50 andcap 26 can be placed over any portion of a cable. Referring to FIG. 7,plastic cap 26 has a first semi-circular section 26 a and a secondsemi-circular section 26 b. Section 26 a has a pair of grooves 52extending along a longitudinal axis of the first section. The secondsection has a pair of ribs 54 extending along a longitudinal axis of thesecond section. The grooves 52 and ribs 54 slidingly engage each otherto connect the first section to the second section and allow the cap tobe installed over an associated cable.

Referring to FIG. 8, the plastic cap tool 50 has a first body member 50a and a second body member 50 b. Each member has a first end 56 and asecond end 58. The first end 56 has a plurality of teeth 60 and thesecond end 58 forms a handle 62. The first body member has grooves 64and the second body member has ribs 66 which matingly engage the grooves64. The ribs 66 and grooves 64 releasably secure the first body memberto the second body member to allow the cap driver to be installed over acable.

Referring to FIG. 9, each cap 26 has a plurality of ribs 68 formed on anouter surface thereof. The tool teeth 60 engage the ribs 68 and allowrotation of the cap relative to the ports 34, 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 10, the rotatable collar 24 can be a solidone-piece unit, a split one-piece unit, or multi-piece (e.g. two-piece)if desired. It should be appreciated that, during installation, cutcables must be fed through a solid one-piece collar, whereas, a splitone-piece collar and a two-piece collar can be placed over the cablesafter splicing has occurred. As best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, thecollar 24 includes circumferentially spaced ramps or ridges 80 and legs82 which form a channel 84 adapted to engage the circumference of theend plate 20 in a snap-fit arrangement to retain or otherwise looselyattach the end plate 20 with the collar 24. The ramps 80 limit theextent that the end plate 20 can travel axially relative to the collar24. However, the end plate 20 is free to rotate relative to the collar24 when the collar 24 is not locked to the dome 12. This facilitatesrotationally positioning the cables and end plate 20 prior to lockingthe collar 24 to the dome 12.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the collar includes aplurality (e.g. 4-6) of circumferentially-spaced tabs 90 that correspondto a plurality of notches 92 in a mating flange 94 surrounding the domeopen end (see FIG. 3). The tabs 90 are preferably equally spaced apartalong a circumference of the collar. Similarly, the notches 92 can beequally spaced along a circumference of flange 94. Referring to FIG. 11,the tabs 90 comprise a body 96 and a leg 98 extending from the body.With the collar tabs 90 aligned with the notches 92, the collar anddepending end plate 20 and seal 22 abuts the mating flange 94. Thecollar 24 can then be rotated so that notches 92 are positioned betweenbodies 96 and legs 98 of tabs 90 to lock and seal the end plate 20 tothe dome free end.

Referring to FIG. 12 a, the dome includes a cable strength memberbracket 100 and a connecting opening associated therewith. The strengthmember brackets function to support the cable. To that end, typically,each fiber optic cable generally carries an elongated wire-like strengthmember intended to add strength to the cables or, more accurately, tothe fiber transport tube within the cable. These strength members arecut away from the transport tubes after the cables pass into theenclosure. In order to anchor the cables to the closure, it is necessaryto affix the strength members to the strength member brackets. Further,because the strength members expand and contract at a different ratethan the fibers themselves, it is important that the movements of thestrength member not be transmitted to the splices or the fibers. Thestrength member connecting brackets thus serve not only to firmly anchorthe cables to the closures, but also to isolate the splices and fibersfrom movements caused by expansion and contraction of the strengthmember.

Referring to FIGS. 12 b and 12 c, an “L-shaped” extender 102 may be usewith a strength member bracket 104. The extender 102 comprises a firstportion 106 and a second portion 108 extending from and approximatelyperpendicular to the first portion. First portion 106 has an elongatedslot 110 which accommodates a bolt or other fastening means for securingthe extender to end plate 20. Second portion 108 has a flange or a lip112 which protrudes through a slot 114 in the strength member bracket104. Alternatively, the first portion 106 may be inserted into andextend through slot 114. The extender accommodates various lengths ofstrength members. The strength member bracket extender attaches to anexisting bracket. The extender may be installed in one of two positions180° apart, by changing the installation of the extender on the bracketfrom that shown in FIG. 12 b to the configuration of FIG. 12 c. Theextender may be installed in the position shown in FIG. 12 c to avoidobstruction by cable gripping brackets on the end plate (not shown). Theextenders provide additional room for working on the cables adjacent theend plate. The extenders can form a modular system by adding additionalextenders along the longitudinal axis of the closure.

With reference now to FIG. 13, a dome shell extender 120 is provided toexpand the capacity of the dome inner cavity of the subject closuresystem. The extender 120 has a first, open end 122, a second, open end124, a cavity 126 extending therethrough, a first flange 128, and secondflange 130. The extender 120 is selectively sealingly locked to the dome12 with a split one-piece collar 132, or a two-piece collar that can beassembled together around the extender and flange 94 of dome 12.Alternatively, the extender can have a molded-on non-rotatable collar inlieu of flange 130 and which forms a part of the one-piece extender.Thereafter, the original collar 24 and depending end plate 20 withattached splice tray management assembly 16 are selectively sealinglysecured to the mating first flange 128 of the extender 120. In thepreferred embodiment illustrated, the extender 120 increases the storagecapacity of the original dome along a longitudinal axis. It is to beappreciated, however, that the extender may have any length “x” desiredalong its longitudinal axis as desired. The dome 12 and extender 120preferably have substantially the same diameter. As seen in FIG. 14, theextender may also have an “L”-shape configuration 140 with a first end142 and second end 144 which are approximately normal to each other.Alternatively, an “S”-shape, “U”-shape and other shapes (not shown) maybe configured and used for different working environments.

It is also contemplated that an existing end plate assembly 14 andattached splice tray management assembly 16 can be used with a seconddome 150 having a larger diameter (and hence increased storage capacity)by providing a conical or stepped diameter expander 152 shown in FIG.15.

The expander has a first body portion 154 having a first diameter 156and a second body portion 158 having a second diameter 160. The expanderhas a stepped configuration between the first body portion and thesecond body portion. The dome 150 has a first body portion 162 with afirst diameter 164 which is substantially the same as first diameter 156of the body portion. The first diameters are larger than the seconddiameter to allow additional space within the dome for managing andstoring fiber optic cable while the second diameter allows interfacewith existing size end plates.

Rotatable collar 24 and end plate 20 are secured to a flange 159 on anend of the second body portion 158 of the expander. A collar 160 is usedto join flanges 161, 163 of the first body portions of the closure andexpander. Alternatively, the expander can have a molded-on non-rotatablecollar in lieu of flange 161 and which forms a part of a one-pieceexpander body.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the splice tray management assembly 16includes a rigid management bar 170, splice tray 172, tray brackets 174upon which the management bar is mounted, and a tray cover 176. Themanagement bar 170 is secured at one end 177 to a bracket 178 (FIG. 16)which extends from a side 179 of the end plate 20 which faces theinternal cavity of the closure. A post 180 extends upwardly from themanagement bar.

As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the splice trays 172 are adapted toindividually slide back from their respective stacked position, and thento be selectively locked in an upwardly-tilted position so as to provideaccess to the splice tray 172 positioned immediately below the lockedand tilted tray. In addition, in the event that insufficient access isgained by tilting one or more of the splice trays 172 as describedabove, then one or more of the splice trays can be disconnected orotherwise removed from the tray bracket 174 by disengaging the tabs fromrespective slots as explained below. Thereafter, the one or more splicetrays 172 can be pivoted or otherwise moved away from the tray supportbracket to gain better access to the desired splice tray.

The brackets 174 are particularly useful to support the superposedsplice trays when the assembly is used with buffered cable. FIG. 3 showsthe preferred form of the brackets 174 and their relationship to the barmember 170. In particular, each bracket 174 has a general U-shapedconfiguration with inwardly extending horizontal support portions at thelower ends of the legs. The brackets are joined to the bar member 170using suitable bolts as shown. The space within the brackets and beneaththe bar provides an area for coiling and storing excess lengths of opticcable.

One or more of the splice trays 172 are positioned in stackedrelationship above the brackets 174 and bar 170 and function to hold, inan organized manner, the splice connectors and the associated fibercables. Although the splice trays could have a variety ofconfigurations, the typical and preferred form for the trays in thesubject embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. As illustrated therein, thesplice tray 172 generally comprises a generally rectangular moldedplastic tray member having an outer peripheral size and shape which isrectangular and has a semi-circular end and generally corresponds to thesize and shape of the subjacent storage tray. The tray includes a flatbottom wall 173 and an upwardly extending side wall 175. The lower endof the tray has a contoured circular interior wall surface 179 whichfacilitates the bending of the cable and its positioning as coiled loopswithin the tray. Associated with the upper interior end of the tray is araised arcuate wall 181 which also serves to direct the cable and allowit to be suitably coiled neatly about the interior of the tray.

Associated with the bottom wall 173 of the tray are a plurality ofupwardly extending resilient webs 183 that extend generallyperpendicular to the sides and are preferably formed integrally with thebottom wall to define a multiplicity of upwardly open, transverselyextending slots. The spacing between the webs and thus the width of theslots is selected so as to allow the connectors used in forming thesplices to be retained therein. These widths can vary at differentpoints along the row of webs so that various commercially available andcommonly used connectors can be held in an organized and convenientmanner.

The tray is further provided with a flat top or cover 176 which ispreferably molded from a clear plastic so as to allow viewing of theinterior of the tray when the cover is in a closed position. Manydifferent types of hinge arrangements could be used to allow the cover176 to be hinged to the tray.

The manner in which the splice trays 172 are engaged with and maintainedin stacked relationship on post 180 is best understood by reference toFIGS. 2 and 3. In particular, the trays are each provided with endformations that define outwardly open slots 182. Slots 182 are sized andspaced to receive the threaded post 180. A stack of two or more trayscan thus be positioned above and held in aligned stacked relationshipthereon by post 180.

An important advantage flowing from the described mounting of traysrelative to the post 180 is that lower ones of the trays in the storedstack can be accessed without total removal of superposed trays.Individual selected lower trays can then be pivoted outwardly frombetween the others in the stack while the other end of the tray remainsengaged with the other post. After work within that tray is completed,it can be returned to its located position in the stack merely byreversing the procedure.

Referring now to FIG. 17, the modular organizer tray system includes aplurality of slidable brackets 200 adapted to be stacked on top of eachother. The brackets are preferably made of resilient thermoplasticmaterial. Each bracket is comprised of first and second support members202, 204 molded from thermoplastic material (FIG. 20A). The secondsupport member is adapted to selectively receive a second end 206 of theone of the splice trays. The first support member is mounted to therigid bar member and is pivotally connected to the second supportmember. Referring now to FIG. 19, the first support member has a body208 with a pair of arms 210, 212 extending therefrom. Referring to FIG.20 a, the arms are generally parallel to each other and each has a firstgroove 214 and a second groove 216. First groove 214 extends along alongitudinal axis of one of the arms. Second groove 216 extends from thefirst groove 214 at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinalaxis. A circular cut-out or groove 218 is formed at an intersection ofthe first and second grooves. The second support member 204 has a body220 and first and second arms 222, 224 extending from the body which aregenerally parallel to each other. Each of the second support member armshas a tab 226, 228 extending from the side wall of the arms. The tabsare received by the first and second grooves in a corresponding firstmember arm. The second support member is pivoted from a first,horizontal position (shown in FIG. 18A) to a second, angled position(shown in FIG. 18B) and is locked into the second position by thecircular cut-out. The tabs of the arms of the second support memberengage the circular cut-outs and lock the second support member in oneof the first and second positions.

The second support member each further have a pin 230 on a first surface232 and a hole (not shown) on a second surface 236 to receive the pin ofan adjacent second support member.

Referring to FIGS. 20 a and 20 b, each of the first support members hasa first locking tab 240 on a first surface and a second locking tab 242on a second surface. The first locking tab of one first support memberengages a second locking tab of an adjacent, mating first support memberwhen the first support members are in a first relative stackedrelationship to each other. As seen in FIG. 20 a-20 e, a first lockingtab 240 of one of the first support members engages a second locking tab242 of another of the first support members when the first supportmembers are in a stacked relationship to each other. One of the firstsupport members is slid with respect to the other first support memberto disengage the first locking tab from the second locking tab. To slidethe first support member, a second support member 204 which is pivotallyconnected to the first support member is lifted upwardly slightly alongwith a mating splice tray. Then the splice tray, second support memberand first support member are pulled so the first support member is freedand slidable relative to an adjacent first support member.

The first locking tab 240 has a ramped surface 244 and a straightvertical surface 246 extending from the ramped surface. The secondlocking tab 242 has a ramped surface 248, a landing 250 and a straightvertical surface 252 which extends from and is approximately normal tothe landing. The first locking tab slides over the second locking tab asshown in FIG. 20 a while moving to a closed position, i.e., when thesplice trays are in alignment as shown in FIG. 2. The tabs contact eachother and prevent movement beyond the closed position of FIG. 20 b.However, movement toward the open position of FIG. 20 c and FIG. 17 isaccomplished by lifting the splice tray and a second support memberpivotally attached to the first support member and pulling the firstsupport member by a tab 254 which extends from the body for manuallygripping the first support member. This allows the user to grab thefirst support member and pull it to either the closed or open positions.

In the closed position, each of the second support members 204 arealigned with each other and are stacked one on top of the other as seenin FIG. 2.

To pivot the second support member 204 to an inclined position, to allowaccess to lower splice trays, the splice tray and second support memberare lifted, then one of the adjoining first support members 202 is slidforward to disengage the locking tabs 240, 242 as seen in FIG. 20C.Member 204 is then tilted upwardly at an angle and is locked into anangled or inclined position by each tab 226, 228 arm engaging curvedslots 218 in member 202. To release the member 204 from its inclinedposition, it is slightly pulled forward and downwardly to releaseengagement of the arm from the cut-out slot, and then the member ispulled to a horizontal position as seen in FIG. 2. First support member202 is slid with respect to an adjacent first support member to theclosed position of FIG. 20 b until locking tabs 240, 242 contact eachother.

The tray brackets are also removable from each other. Sides of members204 are squeezed or slightly compressed and are removable from eachother by releasing the tabs 226, 228 from engagement with slots 214,216. The splice tray and brackets are also rotatable with respect to themanagement bar 170 as seen in FIG. 17.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 21 a-21 d. First supportmembers 260, 262 each have a slot 264 which extends along thelongitudinal axis of the arms and a rib 266 extending along thelongitudinal axis of each of the arms. The rib 266 is spaced apart fromthe slot 264. The rib of one of the support members slidably engages theslot of the adjacent first support member when the members are in astacked relationship as seen in FIGS. 21 a and 21 b. The slot of thefirst support member further has an end wall 268 where the rib 266 of afirst support member contacts the end wall to prevent further movementof the rib within the slot as seen in FIG. 21 c. As seen in FIGS. 21 aand 21 b, the rib slides horizontally within the slot until it contactsthe end wall and prevents further movement of the top support memberwith respect to the bottom support member. As the support members aremoved to an open position of FIGS. 21 c and 21 d, to allow tilting ofthe splice tray for accepting other trays, the slot is moved out ofengagement with the stop tab.

To move the first support member 260 to an open position of FIG. 21 bfrom the closed position of FIG. 21 a, a corresponding splice tray andsecond member which are pivotally attached to the first support memberare lifted from a horizontal position. Then, first support member 260 ispulled forward until rib 266 contacts end wall 268 of slot 264 of afirst support member 262 which is positioned directly underneath firstsupport member 268. Then, the second support member and splice tray arepivoted and locked in an inclined position as described above for theFIGS. 20 a-20 d.

To return the first support member 260 to a closed position, the secondsupport member and splice tray are pulled slightly forward anddownwardly to disengage the second support member from a lockedconfiguration with the first support member lower then to a horizontalposition as described for FIGS. 20 a-20 d. Then, the second supportmember, splice tray and first support member are pulled to the closedposition until the first support members are in alignment as shown inFIG. 21 a. Then, the second support member and splice tray are loweredto a horizontal and aligned position of FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 20D and 20E, the first support member arm has afirst wall 270 and a second wall 272 which are parallel to each otherand a third wall 274 and a fourth wall 276 which are also parallel toeach other. The third and fourth walls are approximately normal to thefirst and second walls. In a stacked relationship, the first wall 270 ofa first support member engages a second wall of the adjacent firstsupport member. The third wall 274 of the first support member engagesthe fourth wall 276 of the adjacent first support member. This is shownin FIG. 20E.

Loose cable tubes are looped or wrapped around a cable “fanged”-shapebracket 300 shown in FIGS. 3 and 22 a and 22 b. The “fang” bracketsecures the wrapped cable fibers within the organizer tray. The fibersare wrapped around a curved, resilient wall. The bracket contains thecable between flexible, resilient prongs and the curved wall. The topwall and bottom wall each have arms or extensions through which thecable is wrapped. The arms serve to abut the inner wall of the domeclosure. The “fang”bracket is mounted onto one end of the managementbar. The bracket also serves as a leg for supporting one end of thesplice tray system.

Specifically, the fang bracket includes an opening 302 for receiving oneend of the rigid bar member 170. The bracket has first and second walls304, 306 which are generally parallel to each other. The second wall 306forms a base for the bracket. A third substantially vertical wall 308connects the first and second walls to each other. A pair of prongs 310,312 extend downwardly from the first wall and another prong 314 extendsupwardly from the second wall. Preferably, the third wall 308 has acurved surface to accommodate the wrapping of cable around it. Theprongs 310, 312, 314 of the first wall and second wall are substantiallyparallel to each other and are formed of resilient thermoplasticmaterial to allow slight bending or resilience of the prongs toaccommodate various sizes of cable. The prongs can also be curved orform curved walls for receiving cable. The bracket is further used as aleg to support the rigid bar member and splice tray in a verticaldirection. Cable is wrapped around the fang bracket through and betweenthe curved wall 308 and the prongs 310, 312, 314 which retain the cableand allow wrapping around the bracket as well as maintaining the cable.

This invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Obviously, alterations and modifications will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of the specification. It isintended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar asthey come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalentsthereof.

1. A cable splice closure apparatus comprising: an elongated generallycylindrical housing having an open first end, a second end, and a flangeat the first end; an end plate releasably secured to said open end ofsaid housing; a bar member having opposite terminal ends wherein one ofsaid ends is adapted to connect with said end plate; at least one cablesplice tray carried on said bar member; and, a rotatable collar matinglyengagable with said flange, said collar being adapted to releasablyconnect said end plate with said housing first end.
 2. The closureapparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a seal member between saidflange and said end plate to seal said first end of said housing.
 3. Theclosure apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said collar further includes aplurality of circumferentially spaced tabs; and, said flange includes aplurality of spaced apart notches, said tabs being adapted to align withand engage said notches when the collar and flanges are brought togetherin an intermated relationship.
 4. The closure apparatus of claim 3wherein said tabs of said collar each comprises a body and a legextending from said body, said collar being rotatable relative to saidflange until a notch of said flange is positioned between said body andsaid leg of said tab, thereby locking said collar to said flange.
 5. Acable splice closure apparatus comprising: an elongated generallycylindrical housing having an open first end, a second end, and a flangeat the first end; an end plate releasably secured to said open end ofsaid housing; a bar member having opposite terminal ends wherein one ofsaid ends is adapted to connect with said end plate; at least one cablesplice tray carried on said bar member; a rotatable collar matinglyengagable with said flange, said collar being adapted to releasablyconnect said end plate with said housing first end, said collar furtherincluding a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs; said flangeincluding a plurality of spaced apart notches, said tabs being adaptedto align with and engage said notches when the collar and flanges arebrought together in an intermated relationship; said tabs of said collareach including a body and a leg extending from said body, said collarbeing rotatable relative to said flange until a notch of said flange ispositioned between said body and said leg of said tab, thereby lockingsaid collar to said flange, said collar further including a plurality ofridges adapted to engage a circumferential edge of said end plate toretain said end plate to said collar.
 6. The closure apparatus of claim5, wherein said end plate is selectively rotatable relative to saidhousing while loosely held by said collar.
 7. The closure apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein said tabs are spaced apart substantially uniformlyalong a circumference of said collar.
 8. The closure apparatus of claim7, wherein said notches of said flange of said housing are spaced apartsubstantially uniformly along a circumference of said flange.
 9. Theclosure apparatus of claim 1, wherein said end plate includes aplurality of ports for receiving associated fiber optic cables.
 10. Theclosure apparatus of claim 5, wherein said tabs of said collar eachfurther includes a second leg, wherein said second legs and said ridgesform channels for receiving said edge of said end plate.
 11. The closureapparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing defines a closed end domehaving a plurality of radially extending ribs formed on an outer surfacethereof.
 12. A cable closure system comprising: a first generallycylindrical housing member defining a cavity having an open first end,and a closed second end; a second housing member having a first openend, a second open end, and a cavity extending therebetween, said secondhousing member first end being adapted to selectively sealingly couplewith said first housing member; a collar adapted to engage and securesaid second housing member with said first housing member; an end platesecured to said second housing member second end; a bar member havingopposite terminal ends wherein one of said ends is joined to said endplate; and, at least one cable splice tray mounted on said bar member.13. The closure system of claim 12, wherein said second housing memberextends generally along a longitudinal axis of said first housingmember.
 14. The closure system of claim 13, wherein said first housingmember and said second housing member have substantially the samediameter.
 15. The closure system of claim 14, wherein each of saidhousing members includes a first flange, said first flanges beingselectively intermatably connected with each other.
 16. The closuresystem of claim 15, wherein said second housing member further includesa second flange on said second end opposite to said second housing firstflange.
 17. The closure system of claim 12, further including a secondcollar rotatably secured to said second end of said second housing. 18.The closure system of claim 12, wherein said second housing includes abody having a first end and a second end, said body being shaped in asubstantially L-shaped configuration, wherein said first end and saidsecond end are substantially perpendicular to each other.
 19. Theclosure system of claim 12, wherein said second housing member includesa body having a first end and a second end, wherein said body issubstantially U-shaped and said first and second ends are substantiallyparallel to each other.
 20. The closure system of claim 12, wherein saidfirst and second housings each includes a first body portion having afirst diameter, said first diameters are substantially the same, andwherein said second housing further includes a second body portionhaving a second diameter, said second housing having a steppedconfiguration formed between said second housing first and second bodyportions, wherein said first diameter is larger than said seconddiameter.
 21. The closure system of claim 20, wherein said end plate issecured to an end of said second housing adjacent said second bodyportion of said second housing member.
 22. The closure system of claim12, wherein said first housing includes a dome having a plurality ofradially extending ribs formed on an outer surface thereof.
 23. An endplate assembly for use with a fiber optic splice closure comprising: anend plate including a plurality of drop ports for use with associatedcut cable and a plurality of express ports for use with associated uncutcable, said drop ports each include webbed material covering an openingof each of said ports; at least one ground wire port for connection withan associated grounding wire; a plurality of grommets selectivelyreceived into said drop and express ports to provide a seal between theassociated cable and inner wall surfaces of said drop and express ports;a plurality of caps selectively connectable with said ports to securesaid grommets into place; a slot formed between and connecting adjacentexpress ports, the slot accommodating passage of an associated loopeduncut cable portion through said end plate; and, a wedge-shaped insertdisposed in said slot to retain said looped uncut cable portion withinsaid closure.
 24. An end plate assembly for use with a fiber opticsplice closure comprising: an end plate including a plurality of dropports for use with associated cut cable and a plurality of express portsfor use with associated uncut cable, said drop ports each include webbedmaterial covering an opening of each of said ports; at least one groundwire port for connection with an associated grounding wire; a pluralityof grommets selectively received into said drop and express ports toprovide a seal between the associated cable and inner wall surfaces ofsaid drop and express ports; a plurality of caps selectively connectablewith said ports to secure said grommets into place; a slot formedbetween and connecting adjacent express ports, the slot accommodatingpassage of an associated looped uncut cable portion through said endplate; and, a wedge-shaped insert disposed in said slot to retain saidlooped uncut cable portion within said closure, wherein saidwedge-shaped insert is keyed to facilitate locking of said wedge-shapedinsert within said slot.
 25. An end plate assembly for use with a fiberoptic splice closure comprising: an end plate including a plurality ofdrop ports for use with associated cut cable and a plurality of expressports for use with associated uncut cable, said drop ports each includewebbed material covering an opening of each of said ports; at least onearound wire port for connection with an associated grounding wire; aplurality of grommets selectively received into said drop and expressports to provide a seal between the associated cable and inner wallsurfaces of said drop and express ports; a plurality of caps selectivelyconnectable with said ports to secure said grommets into place; a slotformed between and connecting adjacent express ports, the slotaccommodating passage of an associated looped uncut cable portionthrough said end plate; and, a wedge-shaped insert disposed in said slotto retain said looped uncut cable portion within said closure, whereinsaid caps include a first and second intermatable semi-circularsections, wherein said first section includes a pair of groovesextending along a longitudinal axis of said first section, said secondsection includes a pair of ribs extending along a longitudinal axis ofsaid second section, said grooves and said ribs slidingly engage eachother to connect said first section to said second section and allowsaid cap to be installed over an associated cable.
 26. The end plateassembly of claim 23, wherein said grounding wire ports include webbedmaterial within an opening thereof.
 27. An end plate assembly for usewith a fiber optic splice closure in combination with a cap tool, thecombination comprising: an end plate including a plurality of drop portsfor use with associated cut cable and a plurality of express ports foruse with associated uncut cable, said drop ports each include webbedmaterial covering an opening of each of said ports; at least one groundwire port for connection with an associated grounding wire; a pluralityof grommets selectively received into said drop and express ports toprovide a seal between the associated cable and inner wall surfaces ofsaid drop and express ports; a plurality of caps selectively connectablewith said ports to secure said grommets into place; a slot formedbetween and connecting adjacent express ports, the slot accommodatingpassage of an associated looped uncut cable portion through said endplate; and, a wedge-shaped insert disposed in said slot to retain saidlooped uncut cable portion within said closure, the cap tool comprisinga first body member and a second body member, each member having a firstend and a second end, said first end having a plurality of teeth andsaid second end forming a handle, said first body member having at leastone groove and said second body member comprising at least one rib whichmatingly engages said groove, said rib and said groove releasably securesaid first body member to said second body member to allow said capdriver to be installed over a cable.
 28. The end plate assembly of claim27, wherein said cap further includes a plurality of ribs formed on anouter surface of said first and second cap halves, said cap tool teethselectively engaging said ribs and allowing rotation of said cap withinone of said ports.
 29. An end plate assembly for use with a fiber opticsplice closure comprising: an end plate including a plurality of dropports for use with associated cut cable and a plurality of express portsfor use with associated uncut cable, said drop ports each include webbedmaterial covering an opening of each of said ports; at least one aroundwire port for connection with an associated grounding wire; a pluralityof grommets selectively received into said drop and express ports toprovide a seal between the associated cable and inner wall surfaces ofsaid drop and express ports; a plurality of caps selectively connectablewith said ports to secure said grommets into place; a slot formedbetween and connecting adjacent express ports, the slot accommodatingpassage of an associated looped uncut cable portion through said endplate; a wedge-shaped insert disposed in said slot to retain said loopeduncut cable portion within said closure; a grommet driver having a firsthalf and a second half, said first half having at least one groove andsaid second half having at least one corresponding rib, said groove andrib being selectively matingly engaged to releasably secure said grommetdriver first half to said grommet driver second half to install saidgrommet driver over an associated cable.
 30. The end plate assembly ofclaim 23, further including a bracket extending from a surface of saidend plate adjacent a cavity of said closure.
 31. The end plate assemblyof claim 23, further including a sealing ring which surrounding aperimeter of said end plate and sealing said end plate with saidclosure.
 32. The end plate assembly of claim 26 in combination with awebbed material removal tool for removing said webbed material from saiddrop ports and ground wire ports.
 33. The end plate assembly of claim32, wherein said removal tool includes a tip which engages said webbedmaterial and reduces force required to remove said webbed material fromsaid ports.
 34. A splice tray and splice tray support system comprising:an elongate rigid bar member; a post extending substantiallyperpendicularly from the bar member; a set of tray support brackets uponwhich the rigid bar member is mounted; at least one splice traysupported on the bar member, said tray having a first end with a slotadapted to selectively receive said post; a first support member mountedto said rigid bar member; a second support member adapted to selectivelyreceive a second end of said at least one splice tray, said secondsupport member being pivotably connected to said first support member;wherein said first support member includes a body with a pair of spacedarms extending therefrom, said arms being generally parallel to eachother, each of said arms including a first groove and a second groove,said first groove extending along a longitudinal axis of one of saidarms, said second groove extending from said first groove at an acuteangle relative to said longitudinal axis; a circular cutout formed at anintersection of said first and second grooves; said second supportmember including a body and first and second arms extending from saidbody generally parallel to each other; each of said second supportmember arms including a tab extending from a side wall of said arm, saidtabs being selectively received by one of said first and second groovesin a corresponding one of said first member first and second arms; and,wherein said second support member is selectively pivotable from afirst, horizontal rest position to a second, angled locked position. 35.The splice tray and splice tray system of claim 34, wherein said tabs ofsaid arms of said second support member engage said circular cutouts andlock said second support member in one of said first and secondpositions.
 36. The splice tray and splice tray support system of claim34, further comprising: a plurality of stacked splice trays and aplurality of stacked first and second support members.
 37. The splicetray and splice tray support system of claim 34, wherein second supportmembers each comprise a pin on a first surface and a hole on a secondsurface adapted to receive a pin of an adjacent said second supportmember.
 38. The splice tray and splice tray system of claim 37, whereineach of said first support members includes a first locking tab on afirst surface and a second locking tab on a second surface.
 39. Thesplice tray and splice tray system of claim 38, wherein said firstlocking tab of one of said first support members engages said secondlocking tab of another of said first support members when said firstsupport members are in a stacked relative relationship.
 40. The splicetray and splice tray support system of claim 39, wherein one of saidfirst support members is slidable relative to the other of said firstsupport members to disengage said first locking tab of one of firstsupport members from said second locking tab of the other of said firstsupport members.
 41. The splice tray and splice tray support member ofclaim 37, wherein said first locking tab includes a ramp surface and astraight vertical surface extending from said ramp surface.
 42. Thesplice tray and splice tray support tray system of claim 41, whereinsaid second locking tab includes a ramp surface, a landing and astraight, vertical surface extending from and approximately normal tosaid landing.
 43. The splice tray and splice tray support system ofclaim 34, wherein each of said first support members includes a tabextending from said body providing a manual grip area on said firstsupport member.
 44. The splice tray and splice tray support system ofclaim 34, wherein each of said first support members includes a slotextending along a longitudinal axis of each of said arms and a ribextending along said longitudinal axis of each of said arms, said ribbeing spaced apart from said slot.
 45. The splice tray and splice traysupport system of claim 44, wherein said rib of one of said firstsupport members slidably engages said slot of another of said firstsupport members when said first support members are in a stackedrelationship.
 46. The splice tray and splice tray support system ofclaim 45, wherein said slot of said first support member includes an endwall, wherein said rib of another of said first support members contactssaid end wall to prevent further movement of said rib within said slot.47. The splice tray and splice tray support system of claim 34, whereinsaid first support member arm includes a first and second parallelwalls, and third and fourth parallel walls, wherein said third and saidfourth wall are approximately normal to said first and second walls. 48.The splice tray and splice tray support system of claim 47, wherein saidfirst wall of one of said first support members engages said second wallof said other of said first support members and said third wall of saidone of said first support members engages said fourth wall of said otherof said first support members when said first support members are in arelative stacked configuration.
 49. A splice tray and splice traysupport system comprising: an elongate rigid bar member; a postextending from the bar member; a set of tray support brackets upon whichthe rigid bar member is mounted; at least one splice tray supported onthe bar member, the at least one tray having a first end with a slot forselectively receiving said post; a bracket having an opening forreceiving one end of said rigid bar member; said bracket having firstand second walls generally parallel to each other, wherein said secondwall forms a base for said bracket; a third substantially vertical wallconnecting said first wall to said second wall; at least one prongextending downwardly from said first wall; and, at least one prongextending upwardly from said second wall.
 50. The splice tray and splicetray support system of claim 49, wherein said third wall has a curvedsurface.
 51. The splice tray and splice tray support system of claim 49,wherein said prong of said first wall and said prong of said second wallare substantially parallel to each other.
 52. The splice tray and splicetray support system of claim 50, wherein said prongs of said first andsecond walls are formed of a resilient thermoplastic material.
 53. Thesplice tray and splice tray support system of claim 50, wherein saidfirst wall includes a pair of prongs generally parallel to each other.54. The splice tray and splice tray support system of claim 52, whereinsaid pair of prongs each includes a curved wall.
 55. The splice tray andsplice tray support system of claim 49, wherein said bracket supportssaid rigid bar member in a vertical direction.
 56. A cable closurecomprising: a first generally cylindrical housing member having anopening at a first end, a closed second end, and a cavity extendingtherebetween; an end plate secured to said housing member first end; abar member having opposite terminal ends wherein one of said ends isjoined to said end plate; a bracket for securing an associated strengthmember to said closure; and, an extender selectively connectable withsaid bracket to allow said bracket to accommodate various lengths ofstrength members.
 57. The cable closure of claim 56, wherein saidextender includes a first portion and a second portion extending fromand approximately normal to said first portion.
 58. The cable closure ofclaim 57 wherein said first portion compresses an elongate slot toreceive a fastening member to secure said extender to said end plate.59. The cable closure of claim 57, wherein said second portion includesa flange which is adapted for extending through a slot of said strengthmember bracket.
 60. The cable closure of claim 57, wherein said secondportion includes a flange adapted to cooperate with an end of saidstrength member bracket.
 61. A cable closure comprising: a firstgenerally cylindrical housing member having an opening at a first end, aclosed second end, and a cavity extending therebetween; an end platesecured to said housing member first end; a bar member having oppositeterminal ends wherein one of said ends is joined to said end plate; abracket for securing an associated strength member to said closure; and,an extender selectively connectable with said bracket to allow saidbracket to accommodate various lengths of strength members, wherein saidextender is adapted for installation on said strength member bracket inone of a first position and a second position, wherein said first andsecond positions are substantially 180° apart.
 62. An end plate assemblyto be used with a fiber optic splice closure comprising: an end plateincluding a plurality of drop ports for use with associated cut cableand a plurality of express ports for use with associated uncut cable; atleast one ground wire port for receiving associated grounding wire; agel wrap carried around associated cables to provide a seal between saidexpress ports, drop ports and ground wire port; and, a slot formedbetween and connecting adjacent express ports adapted to receive anassociated looped uncut cable portion through said end plate.
 63. Theend plate assembly of claim 62, further including a wedge shaped insertwhich is inserted into said slot to retain said looped uncut cableportion within said closure.